ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday issued guidelines for security personnel performing poll-related duties, asking them to stay neutral and impartial throughout the election process, especially during voting.

They have been asked not to favour any political party or candidate in any manner and to provide their fullest cooperation to presiding officers.

The code of conduct specifically bars the security personnel from assuming polling staff duties, taking custody of election materials, including ballot paper, marks and stamps, and interfering in the counting process.

The ECP clarifies in its notification that the code of conduct would not apply to the armed forces and civil armed forces, as separate guidelines are issued for them. It said the security personnel must perform their duties in accordance with the law and assist the election commission in conducting free, fair, transparent and peaceful polls.

According to the commission, personnel should be aware that the polling agent of each candidate who observes the counting process is allowed to take a copy of Form-45 (result of the count) and Form-46 (ballot paper account) from the presiding officer.

ECP to seek expunction of LHC’s remarks against it

The security personnel, the ECP continued, must also provide security to the premises of the office of returning officers till the completion of the consolidation of results and ensure the safe deposit of polling bags and other material to the ECP.

The code of conduct allows media persons to carry cameras for voting or counting footage, excluding the screened-off compartment to maintain ballot secrecy.

Electoral symbol controversy

The controversy over the change in the poll symbol took a new turn when, irked by the remarks of the Lahore High Court (Bahawalpur bench) against it, the ECP decided to file a civil miscellaneous appeal seeking expunction of the same, and to approach a higher forum if the plea was rejected.

“It is strange that Returning Officer is not ready to allot the same to the petitioner. Election Commission of Pakistan as well as Returning Officer are bound to follow the law but firstly they allocated the symbol to the petitioner without getting his consent and now they are reluctant to change the same, despite the fact that the desired symbol of the petitioner is still available, hence, in this way Returning Officer as well as Election Commission of Pakistan are violating the law and not performing their duties in accordance with law,” the bench observed in a Jan 16 order.

It also issued notices in the names of the chief election commissioner, provincial election commissioner Punjab, district returning officer Bahawalpur, as well as returning officer PP-245 (Bahawalpur-I) with the direction to appear in person.

A five-member bench of the ECP took the unusual decision seeking expunction of remar­­ks by a high court bench through an order issued on Friday, a day after holding a hearing.

The ECP order emphasises that the commission is cognisant of its constitutional duties and performs them in a timely manner.

“The commission has decided to approach the court by filing a Civil Miscellaneous Application for expunction of the remarks, and in case of rejection of its request, it will approach the Higher Forum,” the ECP order reads.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2024